The Crusaders were a German paramilitary organization active during the Omnic Crisis. Crusaders were known for their imposing suits of armor produced by J08, and enormous blunt melee weapons (hammers, maces). The faction was led by Balderich von Adler. The only known other Crusader is Reinhardt Wilhelm, who became a founding member of Overwatch. Two as-yet unidentified Crusaders appear alongside Reinhardt and Balderich in the Honor and Glory short, one of which was female and slain in battle.
Balderich von Adler and the Crusaders fought in the battle to defend Stuttgart, along with multiple German soldiers against an army of Bastions. Later, Balderich, along with several of his best soldiers, fought their last battle at Eichenwalde, a castle town near Stuttgart, and were killed. But their death was not in vain, for their effort paved the way for German armies to successfully strike back against the omnics.
After the Omnic Crisis ended in humanity's victory, the current status of the Crusaders remain unknown and Reinhardt is apparently the only active member left despite his retirement from military service.
Notes[]
- Their symbol seems to be a griffin, as griffin motifs adorn Balderich's armor, the armor that Reinhardt is wearing in his poster, the chest piece of the unknown crusader in another poster, and upon the banner in castle Eichenwalde.
- The Griffin also serves as a symbol of boldness and courage, along with military leadership and courage.
- Their motto: "Die Crusader Stehen Wache", translates to "The Crusaders Stand Guard".
- The Crusaders seem to have developed armor and combative styles which are practical against Bastion units, fitting, as Bastions were the most common combative unit in the Omnic Crisis.
- It's possible that the Omniums developed OR-units to compensate for this weakness.
- The armor is based off the armor of the Germanic tribes after being converted into Christianity in the Medieval times, minus the hammers which are more close to Thor's hammer Mjolnir in Frankish mythology.
- The Crusaders are based on knights from 1096, which came into being when the four kingdoms including the Byzantine Empire wanted to claim the Holy Land. Unlike them these Crusaders are similar to knights from English or French parts of Medieval lifestyle.
- Col. Baldrich and Reinhardt's words "Live with Honor, Die with Glory!" is similar to Scorpion King's quote "Live Free, Die Well!"
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